U.S. patent application number 12/739534 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-18 for vehicle interior structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Atsushi Hiroshige, Takanobu Nakaguro, Toshihiro Tsuemoto.
Application Number | 20100289301 12/739534 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40579429 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100289301 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakaguro; Takanobu ; et
al. |
November 18, 2010 |
VEHICLE INTERIOR STRUCTURE
Abstract
A vehicle interior structure that may realize a more amenable
vehicle interior space by making communication between occupants
sitting on a pair of vehicle seats easier. The vehicle interior
structure includes: a pair of vehicle seats; and a sound-reflecting
communication unit for conveying a sound produced from occupants
sitting, respectively, on the pair of vehicle seats to the other
occupant, while reflecting and converging the sound. The
sound-reflecting communication unit forms a concave shape along a
virtual ellipse, focuses of which are respectively at positions of
heads of the occupants.
Inventors: |
Nakaguro; Takanobu; (Aichi,
JP) ; Tsuemoto; Toshihiro; (Aichi, JP) ;
Hiroshige; Atsushi; (Aichi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT, L.L.P.
1940 DUKE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki
Kaisha
Toyota-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
40579429 |
Appl. No.: |
12/739534 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
October 17, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2008/068864 |
371 Date: |
July 15, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/214 ; 701/36;
701/49 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 11/00 20130101;
B60R 13/0815 20130101; B60R 2011/0028 20130101; B60R 2013/0287
20130101; G10K 11/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/214 ; 701/49;
701/36 |
International
Class: |
B60R 13/02 20060101
B60R013/02; G06F 7/00 20060101 G06F007/00; G10K 11/28 20060101
G10K011/28; B60J 7/00 20060101 B60J007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 23, 2007 |
JP |
2007-274966 |
Claims
1. A vehicle interior structure comprising: a pair of vehicle
seats; a sound-reflecting communication unit for conveying a sound
produced from occupants sitting, respectively, on the pair of
vehicle seats to the other occupant, while reflecting and
converging the sound; and a switching unit for switching between a
first mode, in which a sound produced from one of the occupants is
conveyed to the other of the occupants while being reflected and
converged by the sound-reflecting communication unit and a sound
produced from the other of the occupants is conveyed to the one of
the occupants while being reflected and converged by the
sound-reflecting communication unit, and a second mode, in which
communicability of sounds between the occupants is lower than in
the first mode.
2. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 1, wherein the
sound-reflecting communication unit is structured to be capable of
forming a concave shape along a virtual ellipse, whose focuses are
at positions of the heads of the occupants, respectively.
3. (canceled)
4. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 1, wherein the
switching unit is a screen unit that is capable of attaining an
exposed state, in which the sound-reflecting communication unit is
exposed to the pair of vehicle seats, and a covered state, in which
the sound-reflecting communication unit is hidden from the pair of
vehicle seats.
5. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 4, wherein the
screen unit includes a winding-type cover member that is windable
onto a winding member, and the screen unit is set to the exposed
state by the winding-type cover member being wound onto the winding
member and set to the covered state by the winding-type cover
member being deployed from the winding member.
6. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 4, wherein the
screen unit includes a sliding-type cover member that is slidable
between a stowed position and a deployed position of the vehicle
interior, and the screen unit is set to the exposed state by the
sliding-type cover member being slid to the stowed position and set
to the covered state by the sliding-type cover member being slid to
the deployed position.
7. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 4, wherein the
screen unit is a plurally divided structure.
8. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 1, wherein the
sound-reflecting communication unit is fixedly provided at a
vehicle member provided in the vehicle.
9. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 1, wherein the
sound-reflecting communication unit is plurally provided in the
vehicle.
10. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 1, wherein
the switching unit is an alterable body at which the
sound-reflecting communication unit is integrally provided and that
is capable of attaining a first attitude, with which a sound
produced from the occupants is conveyed while being reflected and
converged toward the other occupant by the sound-reflecting
communication unit, and a second attitude, with which
communicability of sounds between the occupants is lower than with
the first attitude.
11. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 10, wherein
the alterable body includes a sliding body, which is provided with
a sliding position thereof in the vehicle being alterable, and the
alterable body is switched between the first attitude and the
second attitude by the sliding position of the sliding body being
altered.
12. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 10, wherein
the alterable body includes a displacing body, which is provided
with a reflecting surface that constitutes the sound-reflecting
communication unit and is provided with a direction of the
reflecting surface in the vehicle being alterable, and the
alterable body is switched between the first attitude and the
second attitude by the displacing body altering the direction of
the reflecting surface.
13. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 10, wherein
the alterable body includes a deforming body, which is provided
with a shape of at least a portion thereof in the vehicle being
deformable, and the alterable body is switched between the first
attitude and the second attitude by the deforming body altering the
shape of the at least a portion.
14. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 10, wherein
the alterable body includes a turning body, which is provided with
a turn angle thereof in the vehicle being alterable, and the
alterable body is switched between the first attitude and the
second attitude by the turning body altering the turn angle.
15. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 14, wherein
the alterable body is a structure that includes a plurality of the
turning body.
16. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 14, wherein
the turning body comprises: a reflecting surface that constitutes
the sound-reflecting communication unit; and an absorbing surface
capable of absorbing a sound produced from the occupants.
17. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 1, wherein
the sound-reflecting communication unit is provided at a ceiling
region in the vehicle.
18. A vehicle interior structure comprising: a pair of vehicle
seats; a sound-reflecting communication unit for conveying a sound
produced from occupants sitting, respectively, on the pair of
vehicle seats toward the other occupant, while reflecting and
converging the sound; and a vehicle member provided in the vehicle,
the vehicle member including: a reflecting surface that constitutes
the sound-reflecting communication unit and is deformable to a
first deformation state, in which a sound produced from one of the
occupants can be conveyed to the other of the occupants while being
reflected and converged by the sound-reflecting communication unit
and a sound produced from the other of the occupants can be
conveyed to the one of the occupants while being reflected and
converged by the sound-reflecting communication unit, and a second
deformation state, in which communicability of sounds between the
occupants is lower than in the first deformation state; an
absorbing surface capable of absorbing a sound produced from the
occupants; a deforming unit for deforming the reflecting surface
from the second deformation state to the first deformation state;
and a switching unit for switching between a first mode, in which
the reflecting surface faces the heads of the occupants, and a
second mode, in which the absorbing surface faces the heads of the
occupants.
19. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 18, wherein
the reflecting surface and the absorbing surface are provided at an
endless belt, the deforming unit is a mating unit for causing a
rear face of the reflecting surface of the endless belt to mate
with a rear face of the absorbing surface and causing the
reflecting surface to deform from the second deformation state to
the first deformation state, and the switching unit is a turning
unit for causing the endless belt to turn so as to switch between
the first mode and the second mode.
20. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 18, wherein
the reflecting surface and the absorbing surface are provided at
one face and another face of the vehicle member, the deforming unit
is a mating unit for causing a rear face of the reflecting surface
of the vehicle member to mate with a rear face of the absorbing
surface and causing the reflecting surface to deform from the
second deformation state to the first deformation state, and the
switching unit is a turning support unit that supports the vehicle
member to be turnable in the vehicle so as to switch between the
first mode and the second mode.
21. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 1, further
comprising: an occupant state detection unit that detects a state
of the occupants; a switching driving unit that drives the
switching unit for switching between the first mode and the second
mode; and a switching control unit that controls the switching
driving unit on the basis of a detection result from the occupant
state detection unit.
22. (canceled)
23. A vehicle interior structure comprising: a pair of vehicle
seats; a sound-reflecting communication unit for conveying a sound
produced from occupants sitting, respectively, on the pair of
vehicle seats toward the other occupant, while reflecting and
converging the sound; an alteration unit for altering at least one
of a position and a shape of the sound-reflecting communication
unit; an occupant state detection unit that detects a state of the
occupants; an alteration driving unit for driving the alteration
unit; and an alteration control unit that controls the alteration
driving unit on the basis of a detection result from the occupant
state detection unit.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle interior
structure, and particularly relates to a vehicle interior structure
that is provided with a structure for making communication between
occupants easier.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Heretofore, the following has been known as this kind of
vehicle interior structure (for example, see Patent Reference 1).
For example, in Patent Reference 1, an example of a vehicle
interior sound regulation apparatus is disclosed. In the example of
Patent Reference 1, an acoustic lens is provided in a headrest side
portion of a front seat, such that the sound of an occupant sitting
on a rear seat can be clearly heard by an occupant sitting on the
front seat.
[0003] Patent Reference 1: Japanese Utility Model Application
Laid-Open (JP-U) No. H4-71558
[0004] Patent Reference 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
(JP-A) No. H11-355748
[0005] Patent Reference 3: JP-A No. S63-195043
[0006] Patent Reference 4: JP-U No. S61-1515
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Problem to be Solved by the Invention
[0007] However, in the example recited in Patent Reference 1,
although the sound of the occupant sitting on the rear seat is
clearly heard by the occupant sitting on the front seat,
conversely, the sound of the occupant sitting on the front seat is
not clearly heard by the occupant sitting on the rear seat.
Therefore, there is room for improvement to make communication
between occupants sitting on a front seat and a rear seat easier,
that is, to realize a more amenable vehicle interior space.
[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the
above circumstances, and an object is to provide a vehicle interior
structure that may realize a more amenable vehicle interior space
by making communication between occupants sitting on a pair of
vehicle seats easier.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0009] In order to solve the problem, a vehicle interior structure
of the present invention is provided with: a pair of vehicle seats;
and a sound-reflecting communication unit for conveying a sound
produced from occupants sitting, respectively, on the pair of
vehicle seats to the other occupant, while reflecting and
converging the sound.
[0010] According to this vehicle interior structure, when a sound
is produced from the occupants respectively sitting on the pair of
vehicle seats, the sound is conveyed while being reflected and
converged by the sound-reflecting communication unit toward the
other occupant. That is, a sound produced from either occupant may
be conveyed to the other occupant. Moreover, a sound produced from
the occupants respectively sitting on the pair of vehicle seats may
be conveyed while being reflected and converged by the
sound-reflecting communication unit rather than simply being
reflected and conveyed toward the other occupant. Therefore,
communication between the occupants sitting on the pair of vehicle
seats may be made easier, and thus a more amenable vehicle interior
space may be realized.
[0011] Herein, it is excellent if the aforementioned
sound-reflecting communication unit is structured to be capable of
forming a concave shape along a virtual ellipse, whose focuses are
at positions of the heads of the occupants, respectively.
[0012] Now, in general, a concave surface along an ellipse has the
characteristic that a sound produced from one focus of the ellipse
is conveyed while being reflected and converged on the other focus
of the ellipse. Therefore, when the sound-reflecting communication
unit forms a concave shape along a virtual ellipse whose focuses
are at the head positions of the occupants as described above, a
sound from the head of one occupant whose head is positioned at one
focus of the virtual ellipse may be conveyed while being converged
toward the head of the occupant positioned at the other focus of
the virtual ellipse.
[0013] Further, it is excellent if this vehicle interior structure
is provided with a switching unit for switching between a first
mode, in which a sound produced from the occupants is conveyed to
the other occupant while being reflected and converged by the
sound-reflecting communication unit, and a second mode, in which
communicability of sounds between the occupants is lower than in
the first mode.
[0014] According to this vehicle interior structure, when the first
mode is switched to by the switching unit, a sound produced from an
occupant may be conveyed while being reflected and converged toward
the other occupant by the sound-reflecting communication unit.
Thus, communication between the occupants sitting on the pair of
vehicle seats may be made easier. On the other hand, when the
second mode is switched to by the switching unit, communicability
of sounds between the occupants is lower than in the first mode.
Thus, privacy between the occupants sitting on the pair of vehicle
seats may be maintained. Thus, by switching between the first mode
and the second mode with the switching unit, a vehicle interior
space that makes communication between the occupants easier and a
vehicle interior space capable of maintaining privacy between the
occupants may both be established. Thus, an amenable vehicle
interior space may be realized in accordance with the intentions of
the occupants.
[0015] Further, in this vehicle interior structure, it is excellent
if the switching unit is a screen unit that is capable of attaining
an exposed state, in which the sound-reflecting communication unit
is exposed to the pair of vehicle seats, and a covered state, in
which the sound-reflecting communication unit is hidden from the
pair of vehicle seats.
[0016] According to this vehicle interior structure, when the
screen unit serving as the switching unit is set to the exposed
state in which the sound-reflecting communication unit is exposed
to the pair of vehicle seats, a sound produced from an occupant may
be conveyed while being reflected and converged toward the other
occupant by the sound-reflecting communication unit. On the other
hand, when the screen unit serving as the switching unit is set to
the covered state in which the sound-reflecting communication unit
is hidden from the pair of vehicle seats, communicability of sounds
between the occupants may be made lower than in the above-described
exposed state. Thus, by switching the screen portion between the
exposed state and the covered state, the first mode in which a
sound produced from an occupant is conveyed while being reflected
and converged toward the other occupant by the sound-reflecting
communication unit and the second mode in which communicability of
sounds between the occupants is lower than in the first mode may be
switched between.
[0017] Further, in this vehicle interior structure, it is excellent
if the screen unit includes a winding-type cover member that is
windable onto a winding member, and the screen unit is set to the
exposed state by the winding-type cover member being wound onto the
winding member and set to the covered state by the winding-type
cover member being deployed from the winding member.
[0018] According to this vehicle interior structure, the screen
unit may be set to the exposed state by the winding-type cover
member being wound onto the winding member, and the screen unit may
be set to the covered state by the winding-type cover member being
deployed from the winding member.
[0019] Further, in this vehicle interior structure, it is excellent
if the screen unit includes a sliding-type cover member that is
slidable between a stowed position and a deployed position of the
vehicle interior, and the screen unit is set to the exposed state
by the sliding-type cover member being slid to the stowed position
and set to the covered state by the sliding-type cover member being
slid to the deployed position.
[0020] According to this vehicle interior structure, the screen
unit may be set to the exposed state by the sliding-type cover
member being slid to the stowed position, and the screen unit may
be set to the covered state by the sliding-type cover member being
slid to the deployed position.
[0021] Further, in this vehicle interior structure, it is excellent
if the screen unit is a plurally divided structure.
[0022] According to this vehicle interior structure, the screen
unit is formed as a structure that is plurally divided. Thus, the
whole screen unit may be switched between the exposed state and the
covered state simply by driving a portion of the screen unit. Thus,
compared with a case in which the whole screen unit is driven to be
switched between the exposed state and the covered state, a
structure for driving the screen unit may be made simpler.
[0023] Further, in this vehicle interior structure, it is excellent
if the sound-reflecting communication unit is fixedly provided at a
vehicle member provided in the vehicle.
[0024] According to this vehicle interior structure, an amenable
vehicle interior space that makes communication between the
occupants sitting on the pair of vehicle seats easier may be
realized with a simple structure, in that the sound-reflecting
communication unit is fixedly provided at the vehicle member
provided in the vehicle.
[0025] Further, in this vehicle interior structure, it is excellent
if the sound-reflecting communication unit is plurally provided in
the vehicle.
[0026] According to this vehicle interior structure, the
sound-reflecting communication unit is plurally provided in the
vehicle. Thus, compared to a case of sound conveyance between the
occupants by a single large sound-reflecting communication unit,
individual sizes of the sound-reflecting communication units may be
made smaller. Therefore, an amenable vehicle interior space, in
which communication between the occupants sitting on the pair of
vehicle seats is made easier, may be realized while a reduction of
vehicle interior space due to occupation by the sound-reflecting
communication unit is kept to a minimum.
[0027] Further, in this vehicle interior structure, it is excellent
if the switching unit is an alterable body at which the
sound-reflecting communication unit is integrally provided and that
is capable of attaining a first attitude, with which a sound
produced from the occupants is conveyed while being reflected and
converged to the other occupant by the sound-reflecting
communication unit, and a second attitude, with which
communicability of sounds between the occupants is lower than with
the first attitude.
[0028] According to this vehicle interior structure, when the
alterable body serving as the switching unit is set to the first
attitude, a sound produced from an occupant may be conveyed while
being reflected and converged toward the other occupant by the
sound-reflecting communication unit. On the other hand, when the
alterable body serving as the switching unit is set to the second
attitude, communicability of sounds between the occupants may be
made lower than in the exposed state. Thus, by switching the
alterable body between the first attitude and the second attitude,
it is possible to switch between the first mode, in which a sound
produced from an occupant may be conveyed while being reflected and
converged toward the other occupant by the sound-reflecting
communication unit, and the second mode, in which the
communicability of sounds between the occupants is lower than in
the first mode. In addition, because the alterable body may be
directly changed in attitude, there is no need to separately
provide, for example, the above-mentioned screen unit for switching
between the first mode and the second mode, or the like. Therefore,
with a simpler structure, a vehicle interior space that makes
communication between the occupants easier and a vehicle interior
space in which privacy between the occupants may be maintained may
both be established.
[0029] Further, in this vehicle interior structure, it is excellent
if the alterable body includes a sliding body, which is provided
with a sliding position thereof in the vehicle being alterable, and
the alterable body is switched between the first attitude and the
second attitude by the sliding position of the sliding body being
altered.
[0030] According to this vehicle interior structure, the alterable
body may be switched between the first attitude and the second
attitude by the sliding position of the sliding body being
altered.
[0031] Further, in this vehicle interior structure, it is excellent
if the alterable body includes a displacing body, which is provided
with a reflecting surface that constitutes the sound-reflecting
communication unit and is provided with a direction of the
reflecting surface in the vehicle being alterable, and the
alterable body is switched between the first attitude and the
second attitude by the displacing body altering the direction of
the reflecting surface.
[0032] According to this vehicle interior structure, the alterable
body may be switched between the first attitude and the second
attitude by the direction of the reflecting surface being
altered.
[0033] Further, in this vehicle interior structure, it is excellent
if the alterable body includes a deforming body, which is provided
with a shape of at least a portion thereof in the vehicle being
deformable, and the alterable body is switched between the first
attitude and the second attitude by the deforming body altering the
shape of the at least a portion.
[0034] According to this vehicle interior structure, the alterable
body may be switched between the first attitude and the second
attitude by the shape of the at least a portion being altered.
[0035] Further, in this vehicle interior structure, it is excellent
if the alterable body includes a turning body, which is provided
with a turn angle thereof in the vehicle being alterable, and the
alterable body is switched between the first attitude and the
second attitude by the turning body altering the turn angle.
[0036] According to this vehicle interior structure, the alterable
body may be switched between the first attitude and the second
attitude by the turn angle being altered.
[0037] Further, in this vehicle interior structure, it is excellent
if the alterable body is a structure that includes a plurality of
the turning body.
[0038] According to this vehicle interior structure, the alterable
body is structured to plurally include the turning body. Thus,
compared to a case of structuring with a single large turning body,
individual turning ranges of the turning bodies may be made
smaller. Therefore, a more amenable vehicle interior space, in
which communication between the occupants sitting on the pair of
vehicle seats is made easier, may be realized while space needed
for reserving the turning ranges of the turning bodies in the
vehicle interior space is kept to a minimum.
[0039] Further, in this vehicle interior structure, it is excellent
if the turning body includes: a reflecting surface that constitutes
the sound-reflecting communication unit; and an absorbing surface
capable of absorbing a sound produced from the occupants.
[0040] According to this vehicle interior structure, by the turning
body being turned such that the reflecting surface faces toward the
occupants, a sound produced from an occupant may be conveyed while
being reflected and converged toward the other occupant by the
sound-reflecting communication unit. On the other hand, by the
turning body being turned such that the absorbing surface faces
toward the occupants, a sound produced from an occupant may be
absorbed by the absorbing surface and communicability of sounds
between the occupants may be made lower.
[0041] Further, in this vehicle interior structure, it is excellent
if the sound-reflecting communication unit is provided at a ceiling
region in the vehicle.
[0042] According to this vehicle interior structure, because the
sound-reflecting communication unit is provided at the ceiling
region in the vehicle, interference with equipment of a sound
produced from the occupants respectively sitting on the pair of
vehicle seats may be suppressed and this sound conveyed further to
the other occupant.
[0043] Further, it is excellent if this vehicle interior structure
includes: a reflecting surface that constitutes the
sound-reflecting communication unit and is deformable to a first
deformation state, in which a sound produced from the occupants can
be conveyed to the other occupant while being reflected and
converged by the sound-reflecting communication unit, and a second
deformation state, in which communicability of sounds between the
occupants is lower than in the first deformation state; an
absorbing surface capable of absorbing a sound produced from the
occupants; a deforming unit for deforming the reflecting surface
from the second deformation state to the first deformation state;
and a switching unit for switching between a first mode, in which
the reflecting surface faces the heads of the occupants, and a
second mode, in which the absorbing surface faces the heads of the
occupants.
[0044] According to this vehicle interior structure, when the first
mode is switched to by the switching unit and the reflecting
surface is deformed to the first deformation state by the deforming
unit, the reflecting surface faces toward the heads of the
occupants and constitutes the sound-reflecting communication unit,
forming a shape that conveys a sound produced from an occupant
while reflecting and converging the sound toward the other
occupant. Therefore, a sound produced from an occupant may be
conveyed while being reflected and converged toward the other
occupant by the reflecting surface. Thus, communication between the
occupants sitting on the pair of vehicle seats may be made easier.
On the other hand, when the second mode is switched to by the
switching unit, the absorbing surface faces toward the heads of the
occupants. Thus, a sound produced from an occupant may be absorbed
by the absorbing surface. Therefore, communicability of sounds
between the occupants may be made lower than in the above-described
first mode. Thus, privacy between the occupants sitting on the pair
of vehicle seats may be maintained. Thus, a vehicle interior space
that makes communication between the occupants easier and a vehicle
interior space capable of maintaining privacy between the occupants
may both be established. Thus, an amenable vehicle interior space
may be realized in accordance with the intentions of the
occupants.
[0045] Further, in this vehicle interior structure, it is excellent
if the reflecting surface and the absorbing surface are provided at
an endless belt, the deforming unit is a mating unit for causing a
rear face of the reflecting surface of the endless belt to mate
with a rear face of the absorbing surface and causing the
reflecting surface to deform from the second deformation state to
the first deformation state, and the switching unit is a turning
unit for causing the endless belt to turn so as to switch between
the first mode and the second mode.
[0046] According to this vehicle interior structure, when the
turning body serving as the switching unit is used to turn the
endless belt and make the reflecting surface face the heads of the
occupants, and the rear face of the reflecting surface of the
endless belt is mated to the rear face of the absorbing surface by
the mating unit serving as the deforming unit, the reflecting
surface faces the heads of the occupants and forms a shape that
constitutes the sound-reflecting communication unit and conveys a
sound produced from an occupant while reflecting and converging the
sound toward the other occupant. Therefore, a sound produced from
an occupant may be conveyed while being reflected and converged
toward the other occupant by the reflecting surface. On the other
hand, when the turning body serving as the switching unit is used
to turn the endless belt from this state, the mated state of the
mating unit is released, and thereafter the absorbing surface is
made to face toward the heads of the occupants. Therefore, a sound
produced from an occupant may be absorbed by the absorbing surface,
and communicability of sounds between the occupants may be made
lower than in the above-described first mode.
[0047] Further, in this vehicle interior structure, it is excellent
if the reflecting surface and the absorbing surface are provided at
one face and another face of the vehicle member, the deforming unit
is a mating unit for causing a rear face of the reflecting surface
of the vehicle member to mate with a rear face of the absorbing
surface and causing the reflecting surface to deform from the
second deformation state to the first deformation state, and the
switching unit is a turning support unit that supports the vehicle
member to be turnable in the vehicle so as to switch between the
first mode and the second mode.
[0048] According to this vehicle interior structure, when the
turning support unit serving as the switching unit is used to turn
the vehicle member such that the reflecting surface faces the heads
of the occupants, and the rear face of the reflecting surface of
the vehicle member is mated to the rear face of the absorbing
surface by the mating unit serving as the deforming unit, the
reflecting surface constituting the sound-reflecting communication
unit faces the heads of the occupants and forms a shape that
conveys a sound produced from an occupant while reflecting and
converging the sound toward the other occupant. Therefore, a sound
produced from an occupant may be conveyed while being reflected and
converged toward the other occupant by the reflecting surface. On
the other hand, when the turning support unit serving as the
switching unit is used to turn the vehicle member such that the
absorbing surface is made to face the heads of the occupants, a
sound produced from an occupant may be absorbed by the absorbing
surface. Thus, communicability of sounds between the occupants may
be made lower than in the above-described first mode.
[0049] Further, it is excellent if this vehicle interior structure
includes: an occupant state detection unit that detects a state of
the occupants; a switching driving unit that drives the switching
unit for switching between the first mode and the second mode; and
a switching control unit that controls the switching driving unit
on the basis of a detection result from the occupant state
detection unit.
[0050] According to this vehicle interior structure, when the state
of the occupants is detected by the occupant state detection unit,
the switching control unit controls the switching driving unit on
the basis of detection results from the occupant state detection
unit. Accordingly, the switching unit is driven and switched
between the first mode and the second mode. Therefore, the first
mode and second mode may be switched between automatically in
accordance with states of the occupants. Thus, an amenable vehicle
interior space that reflects states of occupants may be
realized.
[0051] Further, it is excellent if this vehicle interior structure
includes an alteration unit for altering at least one of a position
and a shape of the sound-reflecting communication unit.
[0052] According to this vehicle interior structure, because the
alteration unit is used, at least one of a position and a shape of
the sound-reflecting communication unit may be changed in
accordance with, for example, a position of an occupant. Thus, an
amenable vehicle interior space may be maintained even if positions
of the occupants change.
[0053] Further, it is excellent if this vehicle interior structure
includes: an occupant state detection unit that detects a state of
the occupants; an alteration driving unit for driving the
alteration unit; and an alteration control unit that controls the
alteration driving unit on the basis of a detection result from the
occupant state detection unit.
[0054] According to this vehicle interior structure, when the state
of the occupants is detected by the occupant state detection unit,
the alteration control unit controls the alteration driving unit on
the basis of detection results from the occupant state detection
unit. Accordingly, the alteration unit is driven by the alteration
driving unit. Therefore, the alteration unit may be driven
automatically in accordance with states of the occupants. Thus, an
amenable vehicle interior space that reflects states of occupants
may be realized.
Effects of the Invention
[0055] As detailed hereabove, according to the present invention, a
more amenable vehicle interior space may be realized by making
communication between occupants sitting on a pair of vehicle seats
easier.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0056] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating overall structure of a
vehicle interior structure relating to a first exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0057] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating overall structure of a
vehicle interior structure relating to a second exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0058] FIG. 3A is a side view illustrating overall structure of a
vehicle interior structure relating to a third exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0059] FIG. 3B is a diagram describing operation of the vehicle
interior structure illustrated in FIG. 3A.
[0060] FIG. 4A is a side view illustrating overall structure of a
vehicle interior structure relating to a fourth exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0061] FIG. 4B is a diagram describing operation of the vehicle
interior structure illustrated in FIG. 4A.
[0062] FIG. 5A is a plan view of a screen member in FIG. 4A.
[0063] FIG. 5B is a plan view of a screen member in FIG. 4B.
[0064] FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a variant example of the
vehicle interior structure relating to the fourth exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0065] FIG. 6B is a diagram describing operation of the vehicle
interior structure illustrated in FIG. 6A.
[0066] FIG. 7A is a side view illustrating overall structure of a
vehicle interior structure relating to a fifth exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0067] FIG. 7B is a diagram describing operation of the vehicle
interior structure illustrated in FIG. 7A.
[0068] FIG. 8A is a side view illustrating overall structure of a
vehicle interior structure relating to a sixth exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0069] FIG. 8B is a diagram describing operation of the vehicle
interior structure illustrated in FIG. 8A.
[0070] FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a variant example of the
vehicle interior structure relating to the sixth exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0071] FIG. 9B is a diagram describing operation of the vehicle
interior structure illustrated in FIG. 9A.
[0072] FIG. 10A is a side view illustrating overall structure of a
vehicle interior structure relating to a seventh exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0073] FIG. 10B is a diagram describing operation of the vehicle
interior structure illustrated in FIG. 10A.
[0074] FIG. 11A is a side view illustrating overall structure of a
vehicle interior structure relating to an eighth exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0075] FIG. 11B is a diagram describing operation of the vehicle
interior structure illustrated in FIG. 11A.
[0076] FIG. 12A is a side view illustrating overall structure of a
vehicle interior structure relating to a ninth exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0077] FIG. 12B is a diagram describing operation of the vehicle
interior structure illustrated in FIG. 12A.
[0078] FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating a variant example of the
vehicle interior structure relating to the ninth exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0079] FIG. 13B is a diagram describing operation of the vehicle
interior structure illustrated in FIG. 13A.
[0080] FIG. 14A is a side view illustrating overall structure of a
vehicle interior structure relating to a tenth exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0081] FIG. 14B is a diagram describing operation of the vehicle
interior structure illustrated in FIG. 14A.
[0082] FIG. 15A is a side view illustrating overall structure of a
vehicle interior structure relating to an eleventh exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0083] FIG. 15B is a diagram describing operation of the vehicle
interior structure illustrated in FIG. 15A.
[0084] FIG. 15C is a diagram describing operation of the vehicle
interior structure illustrated in FIG. 15A.
[0085] FIG. 16A is a side view illustrating overall structure of a
vehicle interior structure relating to a twelfth exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0086] FIG. 16B is a diagram describing operation of the vehicle
interior structure illustrated in FIG. 16A.
[0087] FIG. 16C is a diagram describing operation of the vehicle
interior structure illustrated in FIG. 16A.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
First Exemplary Embodiment
[0088] Firstly, a first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention is described.
[0089] In FIG. 1, overall structure of a vehicle interior structure
10 relating to the first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated in side view.
[0090] The vehicle interior structure 10 relating to the first
exemplary embodiment of the present invention is excellently
employed in a vehicle such as, for example, a minivan or the like,
and is provided with a pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 arranged in
a vehicle longitudinal direction. The vehicle seat 12 at the front
is formed as, for example, a driver seat, and the vehicle seat 14
at the rear is formed as, for example, a driver side third row
seat.
[0091] A ceiling member 18 which constitutes a ceiling region in
the vehicle (and corresponds to a vehicle member of the present
invention) is provided at the inner side of a roof outer plate 16.
A sound-reflecting communication unit 22 is fixedly provided at
this ceiling member 18. The sound-reflecting communication unit 22
is for reflecting and conveying a sound produced from occupants P1
and P2, who are respectively sitting on the pair of vehicle seats
12 and 14, to the other passenger.
[0092] This sound-reflecting communication unit 22 forms a concave
shape along a virtual ellipse 26, focuses 24A and 24B of which are
respectively at positions of the heads of the occupants P1 and P2
respectively sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14.
[0093] According to the vehicle interior structure 10 relating to
the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
following characteristic operations and effects are
accomplished.
[0094] That is, according to the vehicle interior structure 10
relating to the first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the sound-reflecting communication unit 22 forms a
concave shape along the virtual ellipse 26 whose focuses 24A and
24B are respectively at the positions of the heads of the occupants
P1 and P2 respectively sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and
14.
[0095] In general, a concave face along an ellipse has the
characteristic of conveying a sound produced from one focus of the
ellipse to the other focus of the ellipse while reflecting and
converging the sound.
[0096] Therefore, in the vehicle interior structure 10 relating to
the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when a
sound is produced from the front occupant P1 whose head is
positioned at the focus 24A of the virtual ellipse 26, the sound
from the front occupant P1 may be conveyed while being converged
toward the head of the rear occupant P2 positioned at the focus 24B
of the virtual ellipse 26.
[0097] Similarly, when a sound is produced from the rear occupant
P2 whose head is positioned at the focus 24B of the virtual ellipse
26, the sound from the rear occupant P2 may be conveyed while being
converged toward the head of the front occupant P1 positioned at
the focus 24A of the virtual ellipse 26.
[0098] Moreover, a sound produced from the occupants P1 and P2
respectively sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 may be
conveyed while being reflected and converged by the
sound-reflecting communication unit 22 rather than simply being
reflected and conveyed toward the other occupant.
[0099] Therefore, communication between the occupants P1 and P2
sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 may be made easier,
and thus a more amenable vehicle interior space may be
realized.
[0100] Further, according to the vehicle interior structure 10
relating to the first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, an amenable vehicle interior space that makes
communication between the occupants P1 and P2 sitting on the pair
of vehicle seats 12 and 14 easier may be realized with a simple
structure, in that the sound-reflecting communication unit 22 is
fixedly provided at the ceiling member 18 provided in the
vehicle.
[0101] Further, according to the vehicle interior structure 10
relating to the first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, because the sound-reflecting communication unit 22 is
provided at the ceiling region in the vehicle, interference with
equipment of a sound produced from the occupants P1 and P2
respectively sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 may be
suppressed and this sound may be conveyed further to the other
occupant.
[0102] In the vehicle interior structure 10 relating to the first
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sound-reflecting
communication unit 22 is provided at the ceiling member 18 but may
be provided at other vehicle members apart from the ceiling member
18, such as an instrument panel, door trims and the like.
[0103] Further, in the vehicle interior structure 10 relating to
the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
sound-reflecting communication unit 22 is structured such that a
cross-section when cut in the vehicle longitudinal direction forms
the concave shape along the virtual ellipse. However, it may be
structured as follows.
[0104] If, for example, it is assumed that the occupant P2 sitting
on the rear vehicle seat 14 is offset relative to the occupant P1
sitting on the front vehicle seat 12 (for example, if the front
vehicle seat 12 is a passenger seat and the rear vehicle seat 14 is
a driver side third row seat or the like), it may be structured
such that a cross-section when cut along the vehicle lateral
direction also forms a concave shape along a virtual ellipse whose
focuses are respectively at the positions of the heads of the
occupants P1 and P2. Further, a cross-section cut along the vehicle
lateral direction may form a concave shape along a virtual ellipse
whose focuses are respectively at the positions of the heads of
occupants who are next to one another in the vehicle lateral
direction.
Second Exemplary Embodiment
[0105] Next, a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention
is described.
[0106] In FIG. 2, overall structure of a vehicle interior structure
20 relating to the second exemplary embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated in side view.
[0107] In the vehicle interior structure 20 relating to the second
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the structure of the
ceiling member 18 is changed from that in the vehicle interior
structure 10 relating to the above-described first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0108] That is, plural sound-reflecting communication units 22A and
22B are fixedly provided at the ceiling member 18. The first
sound-reflecting communication unit 22A, which is provided at a
middle portion of the ceiling member 18, forms a concave shape
along a first virtual ellipse 26A whose focuses focus 24A and focus
24B are respectively at positions of the heads of the occupants P1
and P2 respectively sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and
14.
[0109] The second sound-reflecting communication units 22B, which
are respectively provided at the front and rear of the ceiling
member 18 relative to the first sound-reflecting communication unit
22A, form concave shapes along a second virtual ellipse 26B, which
has a different short diameter from the first virtual ellipse 26A,
and whose focuses 24A and 24B are respectively at positions of the
heads of the occupants P1 and P2 respectively sitting on the pair
of vehicle seats 12 and 14.
[0110] Such that a sound reflected by one of the first
sound-reflecting communication unit 22A and the second
sound-reflecting communication units 22B does not interfere with
the other, the second sound-reflecting communication units 22B are
disposed at positions away from lines that join the first
sound-reflecting communication unit 22A with the focuses 24A and
24B, and the first sound-reflecting communication unit 22A is
disposed at positions away from lines that join the second
sound-reflecting communication units 22B with the focuses 24A and
24B.
[0111] According to the vehicle interior structure 20 relating to
the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
following characteristic operations and effects are
accomplished.
[0112] That is, according to the vehicle interior structure 20
relating to the second exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, because the plural sound-reflecting communication units
22A and 22B are provided in the vehicle, a sound produced from the
occupants P1 and P2 respectively sitting on the pair of vehicle
seats 12 and 14 may be conveyed while being reflected and converged
toward the other occupant by the plural sound-reflecting
communication units 22A and 22B.
[0113] Further, in comparison with a case of sound conveyance
between the occupants P1 and P2 by the single large
sound-reflecting communication unit 22 as in the vehicle interior
structure 10 relating to the above-described first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, individual sizes of the
sound-reflecting communication units 22A and 22B may be made
smaller.
[0114] That is, in the above-described vehicle interior structure
20 relating to the first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the size of the first sound-reflecting communication
unit 22A may be made smaller by the provision of the second
sound-reflecting communication units 22B, and extension into the
vehicle interior of regions at two ends of the first
sound-reflecting communication unit 22A may be reduced.
[0115] Therefore, a reduction of vehicle interior space due to
occupation by the first sound-reflecting communication unit 22A may
be kept to a minimum and an amenable vehicle interior space may be
realized, in which communication between the occupants P1 and P2
sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 is made easier.
[0116] In the vehicle interior structure 20 relating to the second
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plural
sound-reflecting communication units 22A and 22B are provided at
the ceiling member 18 but may be provided at other vehicle members
apart from the ceiling member 18.
Third Exemplary Embodiment
[0117] Next, a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention
is described.
[0118] In FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, overall structure of a vehicle
interior structure 30 relating to the third exemplary embodiment of
the present invention is illustrated in side view.
[0119] The vehicle interior structure 30 relating to the third
exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a structure in
which a winding-type cover member 32 (corresponding to a screen
unit and switching unit of the present invention) is added to the
above-described vehicle interior structure 20 relating to the
second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0120] The winding-type cover member 32 is disposed between the
positions of the heads of the occupants P1 and P2 respectively
sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 and the ceiling
member 18. This winding-type cover member 32 is constituted by a
cloth with high absorptivity or the like, and is windable onto a
winding member 33.
[0121] According to the vehicle interior structure 30 relating to
the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
following characteristic operations and effects are
accomplished.
[0122] That is, according to the vehicle interior structure 30
relating to the third exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, when the winding-type cover member 32 is wound onto the
winding member 33 and set to an exposed state in which the
sound-reflecting communication unit 22 is exposed to the pair of
vehicle seats 12 and 14 as illustrated in FIG. 3A (this state of
the vehicle interior structure 30 corresponds to a first mode of
the present invention), a sound produced from the occupants P1 and
P2 is conveyed while being reflected and converged toward the other
occupant by the sound-reflecting communication units 22A and 22B.
Thus, communication between the occupants P1 and P2 sitting on the
pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 may be made easier.
[0123] On the other hand, when the winding-type cover member 32 is
deployed from the winding member 33 and set to the covered state in
which the sound-reflecting communication units 22A and 22B are
hidden from the pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 as illustrated in
FIG. 3B (this state of the vehicle interior structure 30
corresponds to a second mode of the present invention), a sound
emitted from the occupants P1 and P2 sitting on the pair of vehicle
seats 12 and 14 is absorbed by the winding-type cover member 32,
and communicability of sounds between the occupants P1 and P2 is
made lower than in the above-described exposed state. Therefore,
privacy between the occupants P1 and P2 sitting on the pair of
vehicle seats 12 and 14 may be maintained.
[0124] Thus, according to the vehicle interior structure 30
relating to the third exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, by the winding-type cover member 32 being switched
between the exposed state and the covered state, a vehicle interior
space that makes communication between the occupants P1 and P2
easier and a vehicle interior space in which privacy between the
occupants P1 and P2 may be maintained may both be established.
Thus, an amenable vehicle interior space may be realized in
accordance with the intentions of the occupants P1 and P2.
[0125] Further, according to the vehicle interior structure 30
relating to the third exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, even if, for example, the ceiling member 18 is
structured with a material with high sound reflectivity, the
ceiling member 18 may be covered by the winding-type cover member
32. Thus, reflections of sounds at the ceiling member 18 when there
is no communication between the occupants P1 and P2 may be
suppressed. Therefore, an amenable vehicle interior space in which
noise is suppressed may be realized.
Fourth Exemplary Embodiment
[0126] Next, a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention
is described.
[0127] In FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, overall structure of a vehicle
interior structure 40 relating to the fourth exemplary embodiment
of the present invention is illustrated in side view. In FIG. 5A
and FIG. 5B, overall structure of a screen member 34 that is
provided in this vehicle interior structure 40 is illustrated in
plan view.
[0128] The vehicle interior structure 40 relating to the fourth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a structure in
which the screen member 34 (corresponding to the screen unit and
switching unit of the present invention) is provided to the
above-described vehicle interior structure 30 relating to the third
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, instead of the
winding-type cover member 32.
[0129] The screen member 34 is disposed between the positions of
the heads of the occupants P1 and P2 respectively sitting on the
pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 and the ceiling member 18, and is
constituted by a cloth with high sound insulation or the like.
[0130] This screen member 34 is plurally divided in the vehicle
longitudinal direction, and is constituted by plural fixed-type
cover members 36 and sliding-type cover members 38. The fixed-type
cover members 36 and the sliding-type cover members 38 are both
structured in narrow strip shapes that extend in the vehicle
lateral direction, as illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B.
[0131] The fixed-type cover members 36 are fixedly disposed at
equidistant intervals in the vehicle longitudinal direction.
Meanwhile, the sliding-type cover members 38 are made slidable
between stowed positions, which are superposed in a plate thickness
direction with the fixed-type cover members 36 as illustrated in
FIG. 4A and FIG. 5A, and deployed positions, which are arrayed with
the fixed-type cover members 36 in a plan view direction as
illustrated in FIG. 4B and FIG. 5B.
[0132] According to the vehicle interior structure 40 relating to
the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
following characteristic operations and effects are
accomplished.
[0133] That is, according to the vehicle interior structure 40
relating to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, when the sliding-type cover members 38 are slid to the
stowed position as illustrated in FIG. 4A and FIG. 5A, the screen
member 34 is set to the exposed state in which the sound-reflecting
communication units 22A and 22B are exposed to the pair of vehicle
seats 12 and 14 (this state of the vehicle interior structure 40
corresponds to the first mode of the present invention).
[0134] At this time, a sound produced from the occupants P1 and P2
is conveyed while being reflected and converged toward the other
occupant by the sound-reflecting communication units 22A and 22B.
Thus, communication between the occupants P1 and P2 sitting on the
pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 may be made easier.
[0135] On the other hand, when the sliding-type cover members 38
are slid to the deployed position as illustrated in FIG. 4B and
FIG. 5B, the screen member 34 is set to the covered state in which
the sound-reflecting communication units 22A and 22B are hidden
from the pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 (this state of the vehicle
interior structure 40 corresponds to the second mode of the present
invention).
[0136] At this time, a sound produced from the occupants P1 and P2
sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 is absorbed by the
screen member 34, and communicability of sounds between the
occupants P1 and P2 is made lower than in the above-described
exposed state. Therefore, privacy between the occupants P1 and P2
sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 may be
maintained.
[0137] Thus, according to the vehicle interior structure 40
relating to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, by the screen member 34 being switched between the
exposed state and the covered state, a vehicle interior space that
makes communication between the occupants P1 and P2 easier and a
vehicle interior space in which privacy between the occupants P1
and P2 may be maintained may both be established. Thus, an amenable
vehicle interior space may be realized in accordance with the
intentions of the occupants P1 and P2.
[0138] Further, according to the vehicle interior structure 40
relating to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the screen member 34 has the structure that is divided
into the fixed-type cover members 36 and the sliding-type cover
members 38. Thus, the whole screen member 34 may be switched
between the exposed state and the covered state by driving just the
sliding-type cover members 38 of the screen member 34. Therefore,
in comparison with a case of driving the whole screen member 34 to
switch between the exposed state and the covered state, structures
for driving the screen member 34 may be made simpler.
[0139] In the vehicle interior structure 40 relating to the fourth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the screen member 34
is plurally divided in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the
fixed-type cover members 36 and sliding-type cover members 38 are
each structured in narrow strip shapes that extend in the vehicle
lateral direction. However, it may be structured as follows.
[0140] That is, as illustrated in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the screen
member 34 may be plurally divided both in the vehicle longitudinal
direction and in the vehicle lateral direction, and the fixed-type
cover members 36 and sliding-type cover members 38 respectively
constituted in cell shapes.
[0141] Further, in the vehicle interior structure 40 relating to
the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
screen member 34 is structured to be divided into the sliding-type
cover members 38 and the fixed-type cover members 36, but it may be
structured to be divided into the winding-type cover member 32, of
the above-described vehicle interior structure 30 relating to the
third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and the
fixed-type cover members 36.
[0142] Further, in the vehicle interior structure 40 relating to
the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
sound-reflecting communication units 22A and 22B are formed at the
ceiling member 18. However, the sound-reflecting communication
units 22A and 22B may be formed at the roof outer plate 16 and the
ceiling member 18 structured to serve as the screen member.
Fifth Exemplary Embodiment
[0143] Next, a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention
is described.
[0144] In FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, overall structure of a vehicle
interior structure 50 relating to the fifth exemplary embodiment of
the present invention is illustrated in side view.
[0145] The vehicle interior structure 50 relating to the fifth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a structure in
which the ceiling member 18 (corresponding to a vehicle member,
switching unit, alterable body and sliding body of the present
invention) is provided to the above-described vehicle interior
structure 20 relating to the second exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, to be slidable in the vehicle longitudinal
direction.
[0146] That is, the ceiling member 18 is made slidable between a
front position as illustrated in FIG. 7A (corresponding to a first
attitude of the present invention) and a rear position as
illustrated in FIG. 7B (corresponding to a second attitude of the
present invention).
[0147] According to the vehicle interior structure 50 relating to
the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
following characteristic operations and effects are
accomplished.
[0148] That is, according to the vehicle interior structure 50
relating to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, when the ceiling member 18 is slid to the front position
as illustrated in FIG. 7A (this state of the vehicle interior
structure 50 corresponds to the first mode of the present
invention), a sound produced from the occupants P1 and P2 is
conveyed while being reflected and converged toward the other
occupant by the sound-reflecting communication units 22A and 22B.
Thus, communication between the occupants P1 and P2 sitting on the
pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 may be made easier.
[0149] On the other hand, when the ceiling member 18 is slid to the
rear position as illustrated in FIG. 7B (this state of the vehicle
interior structure 50 corresponds to the second mode of the present
invention), the focuses are moved to positions that are offset from
the heads of the occupants P1 and P2. Therefore, a sound produced
from the occupants P1 and P2 is reflected by the sound-reflecting
communication units 22A and 22B toward positions different from
that of the other occupant. Thus, communicability of sounds between
the occupants P1 and P2 may be made lower than when the ceiling
member 18 is slid to the front position as illustrated in FIG. 7A,
and privacy between the occupants P1 and P2 sitting on the pair of
vehicle seats 12 and 14 may be maintained.
[0150] Thus, according to the vehicle interior structure 50
relating to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, by the ceiling member 18 being switched between the
front position and the rear position, a vehicle interior space that
makes communication between the occupants P1 and P2 easier and a
vehicle interior space in which privacy between the occupants P1
and P2 may be maintained may both be established. Thus, an amenable
vehicle interior space may be realized in accordance with the
intentions of the occupants P1 and P2.
[0151] Moreover, because the ceiling member 18 is directly slid,
there is no need to separately provide a screening unit or the
like, as in the above-described vehicle interior structure 30
relating to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention
and vehicle interior structure 40 relating to the fourth exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, in order to switch between the
vehicle interior space that makes communication between the
occupants P1 and P2 easier and the vehicle interior space that is
capable of maintaining privacy between the occupants P1 and P2.
[0152] Therefore, the vehicle interior space that makes
communication between the occupants P1 and P2 easier and the
vehicle interior space in which privacy between the occupants P1
and P2 may be maintained may both be established.
[0153] In the vehicle interior structure 50 relating to the fifth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sound-reflecting
communication units 22A and 22B are provided integrally with the
ceiling member 18 and the ceiling member 18 is a structure that
slides. However, the sound-reflecting communication units 22A and
22B may be provided integrally with another vehicle member and this
vehicle member may be a structure that slides.
Sixth Exemplary Embodiment
[0154] Next, a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention
is described.
[0155] In FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, overall structure of a vehicle
interior structure 60 relating to the sixth exemplary embodiment of
the present invention is illustrated in side view.
[0156] In the vehicle interior structure 60 relating to the sixth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the location of
provision of the sound-reflecting communication unit 22 in the
vehicle is changed from the above-described vehicle interior
structure 10 relating to the first exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0157] That is, the sound-reflecting communication unit 22 is
provided integrally with a console door 44 (corresponding to the
vehicle member, switching unit, alterable body and displacing body
of the present invention) that is for opening and closing a console
box 42.
[0158] At the console door 44, one face is formed as a reflecting
surface 44A with a concave shape at which the sound-reflecting
communication unit 22 is integrally provided, and the other face is
formed as a scattering surface 44B with a convex shape capable of
scattering a sound produced from the occupants P1 and P2.
[0159] This console door 44 is capable of attaining a first
attitude in which the reflecting surface 44A faces up, as
illustrated in FIG. 8A, and a second attitude in which the
reflecting surface 44A faces down, as illustrated in FIG. 8B.
[0160] According to the vehicle interior structure 60 relating to
the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
following characteristic operations and effects are
accomplished.
[0161] That is, according to the vehicle interior structure 60
relating to the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, when the console door 44 is set to the first attitude in
which the reflecting surface 44A faces up as illustrated in FIG. 8A
(this state of the vehicle interior structure 60 corresponds to the
first mode of the present invention), a sound produced from the
occupants P1 and P2 is conveyed while being reflected and converged
toward the other occupant by the sound-reflecting communication
unit 22. Thus, communication between the occupants P1 and P2
sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 may be made
easier.
[0162] On the other hand, when the console door 44 is set to the
second attitude in which the reflecting surface 44A faces down as
illustrated in FIG. 8B (this state of the vehicle interior
structure 60 corresponds to the second mode of the present
invention), a sound produced from the occupants P1 and P2 is
scattered by the scattering surface 44B and reflected toward
positions different from that of the other occupant. Thus,
communicability of sounds between the occupants P1 and P2 may be
made lower than when the console door 44 is set to the first
attitude in which the reflecting surface 44A faces up as
illustrated in FIG. 8A, and privacy between the occupants P1 and P2
sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 may be
maintained.
[0163] Thus, according to the vehicle interior structure 60
relating to the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, by the console door 44 being turned over, a vehicle
interior space that makes communication between the occupants P1
and P2 easier and a vehicle interior space in which privacy between
the occupants P1 and P2 may be maintained may both be established.
Thus, an amenable vehicle interior space may be realized in
accordance with the intentions of the occupants P1 and P2.
[0164] In the vehicle interior structure 60 relating to the sixth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sound-reflecting
communication unit 22 is provided integrally with the console door
44, and this console door 44 is a structure that is turned over.
However, the sound-reflecting communication unit 22 may be provided
integrally with another vehicle member and this vehicle member may
be a structure that is turned over.
[0165] For example, in a variant example of the vehicle interior
structure 60 relating to the sixth exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, which is illustrated in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the
sound-reflecting communication unit 22 is integrally provided at a
trim member 48 (corresponding to the vehicle member, switching
unit, alterable body and displacing body of the present invention)
that is provided at the vehicle interior side of an A-pillar
46.
[0166] At the trim member 48, one face is formed as a reflecting
surface 48A with a concave shape at which the sound-reflecting
communication unit 22 is integrally provided, and the other face is
formed as an absorbing surface 48B with a convex shape capable of
absorbing a sound produced from the occupants P1 and P2. This trim
member 48 is capable of attaining a first attitude in which the
reflecting surface 48A faces to the vehicle interior side, as
illustrated in FIG. 9A, and a second attitude in which the
reflecting surface 48A faces to the vehicle exterior side, as
illustrated in FIG. 9B.
[0167] When structured in this manner too, a vehicle interior space
that makes communication between the occupants P1 and P2 easier and
a vehicle interior space in which privacy between the occupants P1
and P2 may be maintained may both be established, by the trim
member 48 being turned over. Thus, an amenable vehicle interior
space may be realized in accordance with the intentions of the
occupants P1 and P2.
[0168] In this variant example, the trim member 48 is structured as
a pillar trim provided at the vehicle interior side of the A-pillar
46. However, it may also be structured as, for example, a door trim
provided at the vehicle interior side of a door. Furthermore, the
trim member 48 may be plurally provided in the vehicle.
Seventh Exemplary Embodiment
[0169] Next, a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present
invention is described.
[0170] In FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, overall structure of a vehicle
interior structure 70 relating to the seventh exemplary embodiment
of the present invention is illustrated in side view.
[0171] In the vehicle interior structure 70 relating to the seventh
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the locations of
provision of the plural sound-reflecting communication units 22A
and 22B in the vehicle are changed from the above-described vehicle
interior structure 20 relating to the second exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0172] That is, the first sound-reflecting communication unit 22A
is provided integrally with a side visor 52 (corresponding to the
vehicle member, switching unit, alterable body and displacing body
of the present invention), and the second sound-reflecting
communication unit 22B is provided integrally with a floor face of
an accommodation recess 54 that is for accommodating the side visor
52.
[0173] At the side visor 52, one face is formed as a reflecting
surface 52A with a concave shape, at which the first
sound-reflecting communication unit 22A is integrally provided, and
the other face is formed as an absorbing surface 52B that is
capable of absorbing a sound produced from the occupants P1 and
P2.
[0174] The side visor 52 is turnably supported at a ceiling region
of the vehicle interior, via a turning axle portion 56, and is
capable of attaining a deployed position in which the reflecting
surface 52A faces down (corresponding to the first attitude of the
present invention), as illustrated in FIG. 10A, and a stowed
position in which the reflecting surface 52A faces up
(corresponding to the second attitude of the present invention), as
illustrated in FIG. 10B.
[0175] According to the vehicle interior structure 70 relating to
the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
following characteristic operations and effects are
accomplished.
[0176] That is, according to the vehicle interior structure 70
relating to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, when the side visor 52 is set to a deployed state in
which the reflecting surface 52A faces down as illustrated in FIG.
10A (this state of the vehicle interior structure 70 corresponds to
the first mode of the present invention), a sound produced from the
occupants P1 and P2 is conveyed while being reflected and converged
toward the other occupant by the sound-reflecting communication
unit 22A, 22B. Thus, communication between the occupants P1 and P2
sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 may be made
easier.
[0177] On the other hand, when the side visor 52 is set to a stowed
state in which the reflecting surface 52A faces up as illustrated
in FIG. 10B (this state of the vehicle interior structure 70
corresponds to the second mode of the present invention), the
sound-reflecting communication unit 22B is hidden by the side visor
52 and a sound produced from the occupants P1 and P2 is absorbed by
the absorbing surface 52B. Thus, communicability of sounds between
the occupants P1 and P2 may be made lower than when the side visor
52 is set to the deployed state as illustrated in FIG. 10A, and
privacy between the occupants P1 and P2 sitting on the pair of
vehicle seats 12 and 14 may be maintained.
[0178] Thus, according to the vehicle interior structure 70
relating to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, by the side visor 52 being turned, a vehicle interior
space that makes communication between the occupants P1 and P2
easier and a vehicle interior space in which privacy between the
occupants P1 and P2 may be maintained may both be established.
Thus, an amenable vehicle interior space may be realized in
accordance with the intentions of the occupants P1 and P2.
Eighth Exemplary Embodiment
[0179] Next, an eighth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention is described.
[0180] In FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, overall structure of a vehicle
interior structure 80 relating to the eighth exemplary embodiment
of the present invention is illustrated in side view.
[0181] In the vehicle interior structure 80 relating to the eighth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an actuator 58 is
added to the above-described vehicle interior structure 10 relating
to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and the
ceiling member 18 (corresponding to the vehicle member, switching
unit, alterable body and deforming body of the present invention)
is structured to include flexibility.
[0182] The actuator 58 is structured, for example, to push and pull
a middle portion of the ceiling member 18 in the vehicle vertical
direction in accordance with control signals from an unillustrated
control switch or the like.
[0183] The ceiling member 18 is capable of attaining a first
attitude that constitutes the sound-reflecting communication unit
22 as illustrated in FIG. 11A, by the middle portion being pulled
up by the actuator 58, and a second attitude that forms a flat
shape as illustrated in FIG. 11B, by the middle portion being
pulled down by the actuator 58.
[0184] According to the vehicle interior structure 80 relating to
the eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
following characteristic operations and effects are
accomplished.
[0185] That is, according to the vehicle interior structure 80
relating to the eighth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, when the ceiling member 18 is set to the first attitude
that constitutes the sound-reflecting communication unit 22 by the
middle portion being pulled up by the actuator 58 as illustrated in
FIG. 11A (this state of the vehicle interior structure 80
corresponds to the first mode of the present invention), a sound
produced from the occupants P1 and P2 is conveyed while being
reflected and converged toward the other occupant by the
sound-reflecting communication unit 22. Thus, communication between
the occupants P1 and P2 sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and
14 may be made easier.
[0186] On the other hand, when the ceiling member 18 is set to the
second attitude that forms a flat shape by the middle portion being
pulled down by the actuator 58 as illustrated in FIG. 11B (this
state of the vehicle interior structure 80 corresponds to the
second mode of the present invention), a sound produced from the
occupants P1 and P2 is reflected toward positions different from
that of the other occupant. Thus, communicability of sounds between
the occupants P1 and P2 may be made lower than when the ceiling
member 18 constitutes the sound-reflecting communication unit 22 as
illustrated in FIG. 11A, and privacy between the occupants P1 and
P2 sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 may be
maintained.
[0187] Thus, according to the vehicle interior structure 80
relating to the eighth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, by the shape of the ceiling member 18 being altered, a
vehicle interior space that makes communication between the
occupants P1 and P2 easier and a vehicle interior space in which
privacy between the occupants P1 and P2 may be maintained may both
be established. Thus, an amenable vehicle interior space may be
realized in accordance with the intentions of the occupants P1 and
P2.
[0188] In the vehicle interior structure 80 relating to the eighth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sound-reflecting
communication unit 22 is constituted at the ceiling member 18 by
the overall shape of the ceiling member 18 being altered. However,
the sound-reflecting communication unit 22 may be constituted at a
portion of the ceiling member 18 by the shape of this portion of
the ceiling member 18 being altered.
[0189] Further, in the vehicle interior structure 80 relating to
the eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
sound-reflecting communication unit 22 is constituted at the
ceiling member 18 by the shape of the ceiling member 18 being
altered. However, the shape of another vehicle member apart from
the ceiling member 18 may be altered and the sound-reflecting
communication unit 22 constituted by this other member.
Ninth Exemplary Embodiment
[0190] Next, a ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention
is described.
[0191] In FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B, overall structure of a vehicle
interior structure 90 relating to the ninth exemplary embodiment of
the present invention is illustrated in side view.
[0192] The vehicle interior structure 90 relating to the ninth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a structure in
which, in the above-described vehicle interior structure 10
relating to the first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the ceiling member 18 (corresponding to the vehicle
member, switching unit and alterable body of the present invention)
is divided into plural turning plates 62 (corresponding to a
turning body of the present invention), and a driving device 64 is
added, which is for driving the turning plates 62 in accordance
with a sound production state of the occupants P1 and P2.
[0193] At each turning plate 62, one face is formed as a reflecting
surface 62A that is capable of reflecting a sound produced from the
occupants P1 and P2, and the other face is formed as an absorbing
surface 62B that is capable of absorbing a sound produced from the
occupants P1 and P2.
[0194] The turning plates 62 are turnably supported at the ceiling
region of the vehicle interior, via turning axle portions 66. The
ceiling member 18 is capable of attaining a first attitude that
constitutes the sound-reflecting communication unit 22 as
illustrated in FIG. 12A, by the turning plates 62 being set with
the reflecting surfaces 62A facing down, and a second attitude as
illustrated in FIG. 12B, by the turning plates 62 being set with
the absorbing surfaces 62B facing down.
[0195] The driving device 64 is provided with a sensor 72 that
detects a sound production state of the occupants P1 and P2
(corresponding to an occupant state detection unit of the present
invention), a motor 74 (corresponding to a switching driving unit
of the present invention) that turns and drives the turning bodies,
and an ECU 76 that controls the motor 74 on the basis of output
signals from the sensor 72 (corresponding to a switching control
unit of the present invention).
[0196] The sensor 72 is constituted by, for example, a microphone
capable of detecting the sound production state of the occupants P1
and P2 or the like.
[0197] According to the vehicle interior structure 90 relating to
the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
following characteristic operations and effects are
accomplished.
[0198] That is, according to the vehicle interior structure 90
relating to the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, when the sound production state of the occupants P1 and
P2 is detected by the sensor 72 and the ECU 76 judges, on the basis
of an output signal of the sensor 72, that a sound of the occupants
P1 and P2 has been produced, it controls the motor 74 and,
accordingly, the turning plates 62 are turned such that the
reflecting surfaces 62A are set face down.
[0199] When the turning plates 62 are set with the reflecting
surfaces 62A face down (this state of the vehicle interior
structure 90 corresponds to the first mode of the present
invention) as illustrated in FIG. 12A, the ceiling member 18
constitutes the sound-reflecting communication unit 22. Thus, a
sound produced from the occupants P1 and P2 is conveyed while being
reflected and converged toward the other occupant by the
sound-reflecting communication unit 22. Therefore, communication
between the occupants P1 and P2 sitting on the pair of vehicle
seats 12 and 14 may be made easier.
[0200] On the other hand, when the sound production state of the
occupants P1 and P2 is detected by the sensor 72 and the ECU 76
judges, on the basis of an output signal of the sensor 72, that a
sound of the occupants P1 and P2 has not been produced, it controls
the motor 74 and, accordingly, the turning plates 62 are turned
such that the absorbing surfaces 62B are set face down.
[0201] When the turning plates 62 are set with the absorbing
surfaces 62B face down (this state of the vehicle interior
structure 90 corresponds to the second mode of the present
invention) as illustrated in FIG. 12B, a sound produced from the
occupants P1 and P2 sitting on the vehicle seats 12 and 14 is
absorbed by the absorbing surfaces 62B of the turning plates 62.
Thus, communicability of sounds between the occupants P1 and P2 may
be made lower than when the turning plates 62 are set with the
reflecting surfaces 62A face down as illustrated in FIG. 12A, and
privacy between the occupants P1 and P2 sitting on the pair of
vehicle seats 12 and 14 may be maintained.
[0202] Thus, according to the vehicle interior structure 90
relating to the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, by a turn angle of the turning plates 62 constituting
the ceiling member 18 being altered, a vehicle interior space that
makes communication between the occupants P1 and P2 easier and a
vehicle interior space in which privacy between the occupants P1
and P2 may be maintained may both be established. Thus, an amenable
vehicle interior space may be realized in accordance with the
intentions of the occupants P1 and P2.
[0203] Further, according to the vehicle interior structure 90
relating to the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the turning plates 62 may be automatically turned in
accordance with sound production states of the occupants P1 and P2.
Thus, an amenable vehicle interior space that reflects sound
production states of the occupants P1 and P2 may be realized.
[0204] According to the vehicle interior structure 90 relating to
the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, because
the plural turning plates 62 are simply structures into which the
ceiling member 18 is plurally divided, attractiveness equivalent to
the ceiling member 18 in related art and volume of the vehicle
interior space may be assured.
[0205] According to the vehicle interior structure 90 relating to
the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the
plural turning plates 62 are set from the second attitude in which
the absorbing surfaces 62B are face down to the first attitude
constituting the sound-reflecting communication unit 22 in which
the reflecting surfaces 62A are face down, the overall shape does
not change from when in the second attitude. Therefore, when the
plural turning plates 62 are set to the first attitude constituting
the sound-reflecting communication unit 22 in which the reflecting
surfaces 62A are face down, a change in volume of the vehicle
interior space in comparison with the second attitude in which the
absorbing surfaces 62B are face down may be restrained.
[0206] According to the vehicle interior structure 90 relating to
the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, because
the ceiling member 18 is structured to plurally include the turning
plates 62, individual turning ranges of the turning plates 62 may
be made smaller than in a case of structuring with a single large
turning plate 62. Therefore, space needed for reserving the turning
ranges of the turning plates 62 in the vehicle interior space may
be kept to a minimum while a more amenable vehicle interior space
is realized, in which communication between the occupants P1 and P2
sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 is made easier.
[0207] In the vehicle interior structure 90 relating to the ninth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the turning plates
62 are automatically turned by the driving device 64 in accordance
with the sound production state of the occupants P1 and P2.
However, a structure as follows is also possible.
[0208] The turning plates 62 may be turned by the driving device 64
in accordance with operation of a control switch or the like by the
occupants P1 and P2, or the turning plates 62 may be turned
manually with a control handle or the like. Further, the turning
plates 62 may be regionally turned in accordance with seats in
which the occupants P1 and P2 are sitting (for example, the turning
plates may be divided in the vehicle lateral direction and, of
these, only turning plates capable of conveying sounds between a
driver seat and a driver side third row seat turned).
[0209] In the vehicle interior structure 90 relating to the ninth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plural turning
plates 62 constitute the single sound-reflecting communication unit
22. However, plural sound-reflecting communication units may be
structured.
[0210] For example, in a variant example of the vehicle interior
structure 90 relating to the ninth exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, which is illustrated in FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B,
the turning plates 62 that are disposed at a middle portion of the
ceiling member 18 constitute the first sound-reflecting
communication unit 22A that forms a concave shape along the first
virtual ellipse 26A, and the turning plates 62 that are disposed at
the front and rear of the ceiling member 18 constitute the second
sound-reflecting communication units 22B that form concave shapes
along the second virtual ellipse 26B with a different short radius
from the first virtual ellipse 26A.
[0211] According to this structure, because the plural
sound-reflecting communication units 22A and 22B are provided in
the vehicle, a sound produced from the occupants P1 and P2
respectively sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 may be
conveyed while being reflected and converged toward the other
occupant by the plural sound-reflecting communication units 22A and
22B.
[0212] Further, in comparison with the case in which the single
sound-reflecting communication unit 22 is constituted by the plural
turning plates 62, individual sizes of the sound-reflecting
communication units 22A and 22B may be made smaller.
[0213] That is, in the present variant example, the size of the
first sound-reflecting communication unit 22A may be made smaller
by the provision of the second sound-reflecting communication units
22B, and extension into the vehicle interior of regions at the two
ends of the first sound-reflecting communication unit 22A may be
made smaller.
[0214] Therefore, a reduction of vehicle interior space due to
occupation by the first sound-reflecting communication unit 22A may
be kept to a minimum and an amenable vehicle interior space may be
realized, in which communication between the occupants P1 and P2
sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and 14 is made easier.
[0215] In the vehicle interior structure 90 relating to the ninth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plural turning
plates 62 are automatically turned by the driving device 64 in
accordance with the sound production state of the occupants P1 and
P2, and switching is implemented between the state in which a sound
produced from the occupants P1 and P2 is reflected and the state in
which a sound is absorbed. However, a structure as follows is also
possible.
[0216] Switching between the state in which a sound produced from
the occupants P1 and P2 is reflected and the state in which a sound
is absorbed may be implemented by other members being automatically
driven by the driving device 64 in accordance with the sound
production state of the occupants P1 and P2.
[0217] For example, the driving device 64 may be applied to the
vehicle interior structure relating to the third exemplary
embodiment to eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
and switching between the state in which a sound produced from the
occupants P1 and P2 is reflected and the state in which a sound is
absorbed in accordance with the sound production state of the
occupants P1 and P2 may be implemented by automatically driving the
winding-type cover member 32, the sliding-type cover members 38,
the ceiling member 18, the console door 44/the trim member 48, the
side visor 52 or the like.
[0218] In the vehicle interior structure 90 relating to the ninth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sensor 72 is
structured by a microphone or the like, and the ECU 76 is
structured to drive the motor 74 such that the turning plates 62
set the reflecting surfaces 62A face down when the ECU 76 judges
production of a sound from the occupants P1 and P2 on the basis of
an output signal of the sensor 72. However a structure as follows
is also possible.
[0219] The sensor 72 may be structured by an occupant presence
sensing sensor that senses the presence of the occupants P1 and P2,
and the ECU 76 structured to drive the motor 74 such that the
turning plates 62 set the reflecting surfaces 62A face down when
the ECU 76 judges that the occupants P1 and P2 are present on the
basis of an output signal of the sensor 72.
Tenth Exemplary Embodiment
[0220] Next, a tenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention
is described.
[0221] In FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B, overall structure of a vehicle
interior structure 100 relating to the tenth exemplary embodiment
of the present invention is illustrated in side view.
[0222] In the vehicle interior structure 100 relating to the tenth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the driving device
64 for rotary-driving the plural turning plates 62 (corresponding
to the alteration unit of the present invention) is changed from
the above-described vehicle interior structure 90 relating to the
ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0223] That is, in the driving device 64, a sensor 82
(corresponding to the occupant state detection unit of the present
invention) is constituted by an infrared sensor capable of
detecting positions of the occupants P1 and P2, a sitting position
detection sensor or the like.
[0224] A motor 84 (corresponding to the alteration driving unit of
the present invention) is structured to rotary-drive the plural
turning plates 62, and an ECU 86 (corresponding to the alteration
control unit of the present invention) is structured to control the
motor 84 on the basis of output signals of the sensor 82.
[0225] According to the vehicle interior structure 100 relating to
the tenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
following characteristic operations and effects are
accomplished.
[0226] That is, according to the vehicle interior structure 100
relating to the tenth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, when positions of the occupants P1 and P2 are detected
by the sensor 82 and the ECU 86 judges, on the basis of an output
signal of the sensor 82, that a position of the occupants P1 and P2
has changed, it controls the motor 84 and, accordingly, the turn
angles of the turning plates 62 are adjusted such that the
sound-reflecting communication unit 22 constituted by the plural
turning plates 62 maintain a shape along the virtual ellipse 26 of
which the focuses 24A and 24B are at positions of the heads of the
occupants P1 and P2.
[0227] That is, both when the position of the rear occupant P2 gets
further from the front occupant P1 as illustrated in FIG. 14A and
when the position of the rear occupant P2 gets closer to the front
occupant P1 as illustrated in FIG. 14B, the sound-reflecting
communication unit 22 constituted by the plural turning plates 62
is maintained in a shape along the virtual ellipse 26 of which the
focuses 24A and 24B are at the positions of the heads of the
occupants P1 and P2. Thus, an amenable vehicle interior space may
be maintained even if the positions of the occupants P1 and P2
change.
[0228] Further, according to the vehicle interior structure 100
relating to the tenth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the plural turning plates 62 may be automatically turned
in accordance with positions of the occupants P1 and P2. Thus, an
amenable vehicle interior space that reflects positions of the
occupants P1 and P2 may be realized.
[0229] The vehicle interior structure 100 relating to the tenth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention is structured such
that the shape of the sound-reflecting communication unit 22 is
altered by adjusting turn angles of the turning plates 62
constituting the ceiling member 18. However, it may also be
structured such that the shape of the sound-reflecting
communication unit 22 is altered by driving another vehicle member
apart from the ceiling member 18.
[0230] Further, in the vehicle interior structure 100 relating to
the tenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
sound-reflecting communication unit 22 is structured such that the
shape is altered by adjusting the turn angles of the turning plates
62. However, it may be structured such that a position thereof is
altered by adjusting the turn angles of the turning plates 62, and
it may be structured such that at least one of the shape and
position is altered by adjusting the turn angles of the turning
plates 62.
[0231] In the vehicle interior structure 100 relating to the tenth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the turn angles of
the turning plates 62 are automatically adjusted by the driving
device 64 in accordance with the positions of the occupants P1 and
P2. However, a structure as follows is also possible.
[0232] The turn angles of the turning plates 62 may be adjusted by
the driving device 64 in accordance with operation of a control
switch or the like by the occupants P1 and P2, or the turn angles
of the turning plates 62 may be adjusted manually with a control
handle or the like.
Eleventh Exemplary Embodiment
[0233] Next, an eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present
invention is described.
[0234] In FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B and FIG. 15C, overall structure of a
vehicle interior structure 110 relating to the eleventh exemplary
embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in side
view.
[0235] In the vehicle interior structure 110 relating to the
eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a belt-type
ceiling member 92 (corresponding to the vehicle member of the
present invention) and a motor 102 are added to the above-described
vehicle interior structure 10 relating to the first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, in place of the
sound-reflecting communication unit 22 being omitted from the
ceiling member 18.
[0236] The belt-type ceiling member 92 is provided with an endless
belt 94 at which a reflecting surface 94A and an absorbing surface
94B are provided. Planar fasteners 96 (corresponding to a deforming
unit and a mating unit of the present invention), for causing a
rear face of the reflecting surface 94A of the endless belt 94 to
mate with a rear face of the absorbing surface 94B, are provided at
the inner side of the endless belt 94.
[0237] A reflecting surface 94A is set to a first deformation state
that constitutes the sound-reflecting communication unit 22 when
the rear face of the reflecting surface 94A of the endless belt 94
is mated with the rear face of the absorbing surface 94B by the
planar fasteners 96, as illustrated in FIG. 15B, and a second
deformation state that constitutes a flat shape when the state of
mating of the planar fasteners 96 is released, as illustrated in
FIG. 15A and FIG. 15C.
[0238] The endless belt 94 is stretched between a pair of pulleys
98 (corresponding to the switching unit and a turning unit of the
present invention), and is structured to be turned in association
with turning of the pulleys 98. One of the pulleys 98 is turned by
the motor 102.
[0239] According to the vehicle interior structure 110 relating to
the eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
following characteristic operations and effects are
accomplished.
[0240] That is, according to the vehicle interior structure 110
relating to the eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the reflecting surface 94A is faced toward the heads of
the occupants P1 and P2 as illustrated in FIG. 15A (this state of
the vehicle interior structure 110 corresponds to the first mode of
the present invention) by the endless belt 94 being turned by the
motor 102.
[0241] When the rear face of the reflecting surface 94A of the
endless belt 94 is mated with the rear face of the absorbing
surface 94B by the planar fasteners 96 as illustrated in FIG. 15B,
by the occupants P1 and P2 pressing the reflecting surface 94A, the
reflecting surface 94A constitutes the sound-reflecting
communication unit 22 and forms a shape capable of conveying a
sound produced from the occupants P1 and P2 toward the other
occupant while reflecting and converging the sound (corresponding
to the first deformation state of the present invention).
[0242] Therefore, a sound produced from the occupants P1 and P2 may
be conveyed while being reflected and converged toward the other
occupant by the reflecting surface 94A. Thus, communication between
the occupants P1 and P2 sitting on the pair of vehicle seats 12 and
14 may be made easier.
[0243] On the other hand, when the endless belt 94 is turned by the
motor 102 from this state, the mating state of the planar fasteners
96 is released, and the reflecting surface 94A separates from the
absorbing surface 94B and forms the flat shape (corresponding to
the second deformation state of the present invention). Thereafter,
as illustrated in FIG. 15C, the absorbing surface 94B is faced
toward the heads of the occupants P1 and P2 (this state of the
vehicle interior structure 110 corresponds to the second mode of
the present invention).
[0244] Therefore, a sound produced from the occupants P1 and P2 may
be absorbed by the absorbing surface 94B. Thus, communicability of
sounds between the occupants P1 and P2 may be made lower than when
the reflecting surface 94A constitutes the sound-reflecting
communication unit 22 as illustrated in FIG. 15B, and privacy
between the occupants P1 and P2 sitting on the pair of vehicle
seats 12 and 14 may be maintained.
[0245] Thus, according to the vehicle interior structure 110
relating to the eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a vehicle interior space that makes communication
between the occupants P1 and P2 easier and a vehicle interior space
in which privacy between the occupants P1 and P2 may be maintained
may both be established. Thus, an amenable vehicle interior space
may be realized in accordance with the intentions of the occupants
P1 and P2.
[0246] In the vehicle interior structure 110 relating to the
eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the driving
device 64 of the above-described vehicle interior structure 90
relating to the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention
may be applied and the endless belt 94 automatically turned by the
motor 102 in accordance with a sound production state of the
occupants P1 and P2. Thus, the endless belt 94 may be switched from
the state in which the rear face of the reflecting surface 94A of
the endless belt 94 is mated with the rear face of the absorbing
surface 94B by the planar fasteners 96 as illustrated in FIG. 15B
to the state in which the absorbing surface 94B is faced toward the
heads of the occupants P1 and P2 as illustrated in FIG. 15C.
[0247] In the vehicle interior structure 110 relating to the
eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is
necessary for the occupants P1 and P2 to press the reflecting
surface 94A for the rear face of the reflecting surface 94A of the
endless belt 94 to be mated with the rear face of the absorbing
surface 94B by the planar fasteners 96. However, a structure is
possible such that the reflecting surface 94A is pulled in toward
the absorbing surface 94B by an unillustrated actuator.
[0248] Furthermore, this actuator for pulling in the reflecting
surface 94A toward the absorbing surface 94B may be included and
switching between the state in which the rear face of the
reflecting surface 94A of the endless belt 94 is mated with the
rear face of the absorbing surface 94B by the planar fasteners 96
as illustrated in FIG. 15B and the state in which the absorbing
surface 94B is faced toward the heads of the occupants P1 and P2 as
illustrated in FIG. 15C may be implemented automatically in
accordance with the sound production state of the occupants P1 and
P2.
Twelfth Exemplary Embodiment
[0249] Next, a twelfth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention is described.
[0250] In FIG. 16A, FIG. 16B and FIG. 16C, overall structure of a
vehicle interior structure 120 relating to the twelfth exemplary
embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in side
view.
[0251] In the vehicle interior structure 120 relating to the
twelfth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a sun visor
112 (corresponding to the vehicle member of the present invention)
is provided in the above-described vehicle interior structure 110
relating to the eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, instead of the belt-type ceiling member 92 and the motor
102.
[0252] That is, at the sun visor 112, one face is a reflecting
surface 112A and the other face is an absorbing surface 112B.
[0253] The reflecting surface 112A is set to a first deformation
state that constitutes the sound-reflecting communication unit 22
when the rear face of the reflecting surface 112A of the sun visor
112 is mated with the rear face of the absorbing surface 112B by
planar fasteners 116 (corresponding to the deforming unit and the
mating unit of the present invention), as illustrated in FIG. 16B,
and a second deformation state that constitutes a flat shape when
the state of mating of the planar fasteners 116 is released, as
illustrated in FIG. 16A and FIG. 16C.
[0254] The sun visor 112 is turnably supported at the ceiling
region of the vehicle interior, via a turning axle portion 118
(corresponding to the switching unit and a turning support portion
of the present invention), and is capable of attaining a deployed
position in which the reflecting surface 112A faces the heads of
the occupants P1 and P2, as illustrated in FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B,
and a stowed position in which the absorbing surface 112B faces the
heads of the occupants P1 and P2, as illustrated in FIG. 16B.
[0255] According to the vehicle interior structure 120 relating to
the twelfth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
following characteristic operations and effects are
accomplished.
[0256] That is, according to the vehicle interior structure 120
relating to the twelfth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the sun visor 112 is turned to a deployed position in
which the reflecting surface 112A faces the heads of the occupants
P1 and P2 (this state of the vehicle interior structure 120
corresponds to the first mode of the present invention), by the
occupants P1 and P2 turning the sun visor 112 toward the deployed
position with the turning axle portion 118 as a pivot point.
[0257] When the rear face of the reflecting surface 112A of the sun
visor 112 is mated with the rear face of the absorbing surface 112B
by the planar fasteners 116 as illustrated in FIG. 16B, by the
occupants P1 and P2 pressing the reflecting surface 112A, the
reflecting surface 112A constitutes the sound-reflecting
communication unit 22 and forms a shape capable of conveying a
sound produced from the occupants P1 and P2 toward the other
occupant while reflecting and converging the sound (corresponding
to the first deformation state of the present invention).
[0258] Therefore, a sound produced from the occupants P1 and P2 may
be conveyed while being reflected and converged toward the other
occupant by the reflecting surface 112A. Thus, communication
between the occupants P1 and P2 sitting on the pair of vehicle
seats 12 and 14 may be made easier.
[0259] On the other hand, when the occupants P1 and P2 release the
mating state of the planar fasteners 116, the reflecting surface
112A separates from the absorbing surface 112B and forms a flat
shape (corresponding to the second deformation state of the present
invention). Thereafter, by the sun visor 112 being turned toward
the stowed position with the turning axle portion 118 as the pivot
point, the sun visor 112 is turned to the stowed position at which
the absorbing surface 112B faces the heads of the occupants P1 and
P2, as illustrated in FIG. 16C (this state of the vehicle interior
structure 120 corresponds to the second mode of the present
invention).
[0260] Therefore, a sound produced from the occupants P1 and P2 may
be absorbed by the absorbing surface 112B. Thus, communicability of
sounds between the occupants P1 and P2 may be made lower than when
the reflecting surface 112A constitutes the sound-reflecting
communication unit 22 as illustrated in FIG. 16B, and privacy
between the occupants P1 and P2 sitting on the pair of vehicle
seats 12 and 14 may be maintained.
[0261] Thus, according to the vehicle interior structure 120
relating to the twelfth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a vehicle interior space that makes communication
between the occupants P1 and P2 easier and a vehicle interior space
in which privacy between the occupants P1 and P2 may be maintained
may both be established. Thus, an amenable vehicle interior space
may be realized in accordance with the intentions of the occupants
P1 and P2.
[0262] In the vehicle interior structure 120 relating to the
twelfth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the driving
device 64 of the above-described vehicle interior structure 90
relating to the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention
may be applied, and the sun visor 112 may be switched between the
deployed position as illustrated in FIG. 16A and the stowed
position as illustrated in FIG. 16C by the sun visor 112 being
automatically turned by the driving device 64 in accordance with
the sound production state of the occupants P1 and P2.
[0263] In this case, the actuator 58 of the driving device 64 may
be added, such that the reflecting surface 112A is pulled in toward
the absorbing surface 112B by the actuator 58 and the rear face of
the reflecting surface 112A mated with the rear face of the
absorbing surface 112B when the sun visor 112 is automatically
turned to the deployed position by the driving device 64 in
accordance with the sound production state of the occupants P1 and
P2.
* * * * *